"I started making jewelry when I was about 12 or 13, " says Robyne Robinson, creator and designer of Rox Minneapolis. "But I didn't know it was because my mother didn't have the money to buy a whole bunch of Christmas presents on a teacher's salary every year --. She made it a fun trip to the bead store with my sister, and we'd make designs for all our friends."

Three decades later, her creative spark for creating necklaces, bracelets and earrings was triggered by a fluke. "My boyfriend is Greek, and he carries his worry beads everywhere -- some are coral, or made of bone. I told him if I really tried, I could make one. He'd let me know if they had flaws, and when they hit the mark. Next thing I know, his friends and family all wanted them."

Soon, Robyne's passion for making jewelry exploded - the Minneapolis news anchor and former art gallery owner found herself heading a new business called Rox.

"I love using semi-precious stones in my jewelry - amber or carnelian, jade; there are so many different types of rocks and stones that have been used for health, beauty, spirituality and trade, from the Pharaohs until today. We just have a ntural attraction to the rocks under our feet."

Rox jewelry sells in stores throughout the Minneapolis area, as well as Chicago and New York. It's also displayed at the Walker Art Center, the internationally-known contemporary art museum based in Minneapolis. Rox has been featured in several national publications, such as Seventeen, Cosmo Girl, Today's Black Woman and Launchpad, as well as on The Tyra Banks Show.